10 Easy Pieces: Kitchen Compost Bins

Composting is an essential kitchen task. When I began composting our kitchen scraps (I live in area with a great municipal compost program), we cut our trash output by more than half. Now, when I see a natural item in the (landfill) trash bin in public—a flower stem, an orange rind, or stale bread—I can’t help but think “what a waste.”

Waste not! With these attractive kitchen compost bins, food waste has the potential for a second life.

(And! For a winning compost hack that converts a deep kitchen drawer to quick compost bin access, see our newest book, Remodelista: The Low-Impact Home: A Sourcebook for Stylish, Eco-Conscious Living.)

Above: The Lee Valley Stainless Steel Compost Pail is available in two volumes, starting at $36.50. Above: The Large Painted Stainless Steel Compost Pail (pictured) is no longer available from Gardener’s Supply Company, but the Brushed Stainless Steel Compost Pail is; it’s currently on sale for $44.99. Above: For a classic kitchen compost option, the Simplehuman Compost Caddy starts at $49.95 at Williams-Sonoma. Above: The Emile Henry Compost Bin is made in France and has a ceramic body and rope handles; it’s $179.95 from Nordstrom. Above: A good budget pick, the Lehman’s Stainless Steel Odor-Free Compost Pail is $39.99. Above: The Bamboozle Plant-Based Countertop Compost Bin is $50 at Zero Waste Store. Above: Designed by Cliff Spencer, the Noaway Countertop Compost Bin comes in Magnolia Wood (shown), Walnut, and other finishes; $160 and up from Alabama Sawyer. Above: The cheapest of the bunch, Ikea’s Farmarkvast Compost Bin is $9.99. Above: The Thrive Market Compost Bin has a built-in charcoal filter; $39.99. Above: And the Zero Waste Store Essentials Countertop Compost Bin is $44.99.

For more trash and recycling bins you won’t mind looking at, see our posts:

• 10 Easy Pieces: Recycling Bins
• Trash Bins from a Cleanliness-Obsessed Nation
• The Last Trash Bin You’ll Ever Buy

N.B.: This story originally appeared on October 5, 2022 and has been updated with new links, products, and pricing.